Bedard's blog: http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/43661197.html
Plus some other tidbits

McGinn's article: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/43659322.html


I also heard last night on The Big Show a caller citing another web site that Jenkins is #2 on Thompson's board

Of course this could all be bogus, tis the season to spread disinformation

Well, we'd really get to see if it's a true BPA. It would be a sad day if it meant we couldn't keep Greg Jennings.

I'd be.... okay with Jenkins. I think he's a wonderful player, but we have so many guys there and none at offensive tackle or DE.

McGinn, unlike some caller on The Big Show is a pretty reliable source and is reporting that TT WR Michael Crabtree is the highest-rated player on the draft board of Packers GM Ted Thompson, in which case, I am glad that the Pack seems to be trying to trade out of the #9 position.

Added twist: agent Eugene Parker represents Crabtree and Greg Jennings;

McGinn is also reporting:

Packers are high on: Baylor OT Jason Smith, Alabama OT Andre Smith, Mississippi OT Michael Oher; they like Oher more than Virginia OT Eugene Monroe; have no intention of re-signing RT Mark Tauscher...

hmmmmm a lot to digest from a fairly reliable source. Of course you are correct about this being smoke screen time Cbeacs

Mr. Poker face TT, I doubt anyone really knows who his #1 on the board outside of 1265.

I can tell it's early because this doesn't have 500 replies yet.

Apparently I woke up and told my girlfriend that the draft was like Christmas. Then I wake up to this news.

I really do not want Crabtree. Mostly because I don't feel like he's worth a top 10 pick.

Thank you! How in the hell has anyone gotten at his list? I'm not sure anyone but he himself truly knows his list.

I wouldn't hate Crabtree nor would i hate Jenkins. However I believe a DL, OT, or OLB makes more sense.

However if they believe that Driver has one more good year in him, I could see some wisdom in taking Crabtree.

I think he's quite talented enough to be a high pick. I don't think he's a Calvin Johnson type, but he's a heck of a WR.

He's got an attitude and that cuts both ways. He has a posse. He's in the Deion Sanders club. He's pompous and thinks very highly of himself.

However, this team has suffered from a lack of swagger for some time now. They still lack an edge. Of course you want to have that edge on defense as well, but think about Favre-Sharpe. Or Brady-Moss. Those are WRs who just wouldn't be denied, and Crabtree looks to fit into that mold.

We have defensive needs but if they have him as the last tier one player on their board and he's available, they probably should take him. It would kill my excitment level but it may be best for the team.

Once again, just want to point out that if some effort was made to add some good but stop-gap players to the D through FA, this might not be as big of an issue.

I'd wager this is pretty accurate, and for the same reasons as I outline in my, "Malcom Jenkins will be the pick" thread. That being, both players are rated as BPA despite need. Now, while some of us may be thinking, "What the.....?" when it comes to that logic, specifically for a team coming off a 6-win season, keep in mind --

when it comes to need, I don't think the coaches, management, etc. really 100 percent know what they need.

So in this case, picking at 9, a spot where you can really get an impact player, BPA actually makes sense (with the exception being a QB of course).

Think about it. On the defensive side of the ball, we'll still draft players in this draft, plus we have an entirely new defensive coaching staff, plus a new strength coach. So I really think they want to see what they're working with, personnel-wise first, before they go out and spend a high pick on a guy.

I'm not enamored with Crabtree by any stretch, but if Thompson picks him up, I wouldn't be terribly disappointed.

Good points Heat!

I have been on record as saying if Crabtree is there at #9 you have to grab him in a New York minute, unless the phone rings with offers you CANNOT refuse.

In this scenerio, I am hoping the phone is ringing off the hook, (which it likely would be) because if not,
you CANNOT pass on the player ranked highest on your board 9 picks later (as you can bet about the top half dozen of your board has already been selected).

Plus keep this in mind.

Arizona last year went to the Super Bowl based almost completely on their offense.

With Crabtree, Jennings, Driver, Nelson and Jones.. all I can say, is look out.

IMO, that gives us the best overall WR corp. in the NFL, and combined with a 2nd-year Rodgers, and hopefully an improved running game, our offense would be just sickeningly dynamic. However, unlike the Cards, we actually DO have some smidgen of defense... at least enough (IMO) to let the offense do their thing.

Bruce just to clarify (i typed this up quick on my way to a track meet this morning)
The caller was referencing insider information from another web site's "expert", i don't like promoting rival sites on PC so i didn't go into a lot of other detail

CBeacs: I certainly was not calling you out. I thought you started a great thread. I was simply pointing out that while I disagree with McGinn plenty, he is well connected and has as much inside scoop on the Packers as any one.

Important to point out though, he has been used on a number of occassions to create smoke screens on the draft, which you alluded to and I also agreed with you on.

I cant argue with that. I dont think Crabtree will be there. I'm not enamored with any of these guys in the top 10. but if they believe Crabtree is the best player, you gotta go with it. That's a lot of money in your WR corps. Jennings, Crabtree and Nelson, but Crabtree would provide impact that's for sure.

C- I have read that Crabtree is #1 on many teams boards. The top ten this year has a lot of "what ifs" in it. There is no clear cut guy. Although now that Stafford went #1 it could be argued that he is the guy.

Don't want or need Crabapples...don't care how good he is. We don't need a diva.

If he is on the board I say trade the pick. Jennings is my kind of player...love that guy. He should finish his career as a Packer. No way do we get rid of him. Let him go and I will never forgive the organization...well just as long as he doesn't pull any crap. Don't think he will guy has good character like DD...

This smells of a smoke screen to me.

I may be wrong, but I think TT is trying to trade out of number 9 and using this to attract a buyer.

WR is maybe our strongest position--and we don't have many strong ones.

SO why draft a head case like Crabtree who a lot of people believe will end up like TO?

I watched a fair share of the Texas Tech games last year mainly due to the excitement of the rapid pace and to see how they matched up versus top ranked teams. It just kept popping into my head that it would be great to have him in green and gold every time he would step up and find a way to exploit the defense. If we did pick him at 9, I can say the reason most likely would be his ability to make himself a big target near the goal line. We've been settling for field goals more and more it seems over the last five seasons and one single catch can be the difference in the game. That being said, I hope Oakland realizes at 7 that they should draft a complete receiver this time and take him there instead of drafting the guy who can out run most land animals.

my hope- trade down or the best of who is left (curry, raji, jackson)

my madden- crabtree and then driver traded to arizona with a 2nd for Boldin(huck it chuck it football)

I wouldn't want Crabtree for several reasons.

1. He's high maintanance. He's a showboat who thinks he knows it all. I really think this is a very talented receiver who will be a huge (and expensive) bust.

2. He has the same agent as Jennings. This would cause immediate problems. Lets say Crabtree is signed for X amount of dollars for playing NO minutes in the NFL. Now, you have Jennings, who has shown what he can do (he has actually earned his contract extenstion). He (and his agent) would expect a lot more than Crabtree got. Can Crabtree replace Jennings? Ask me in three years.

3. I don't think Crabtree is overly bright. As one beat writer (either for the J-S or the GB paper wrote), he is not a disciplined route runner. That is what TT covets (als Jennings and Jones and Nelson). Your QB has to know where the receiver is going to be, unless the QB is scrambling, in which case its "improvisation time". But most importantly, the receivers should then run toward the QB at full speed, so they can catch a short pass and avoid a potential sack.

4. Finally, I predict that Crabtree will be talking about himself in the third person within weeks (if he's not doing it already), and (if he lands with a team in New York) will have a book deal done before he signs his pro contract.

Crabtree? Yuk. I wouldn't take him if he came for free. A cancer waiting to happen. And I believe it will happen sooner than later.

The draft is the biggest chess match of the year. I believe info in the Warroom is looked upon as sacred or the Holy Grail. Do people believe that something as important as who we have at #1 on our board will be reproted on multiple news outlets, blogs and websites? I don't.
If Crabtree were #1 and McGinn's article was the reason we lost out on our #1 prospect what type of access would McGinn have to the Packers in the future?
It was mentioned by Bruce that McGinn is a well respected source for Packer info. I believe this to be true mostly because he is respected and trusted (as much as a reporters can be) at 1265. This gives him access that maybe others dont get. Would he jeopardize his standing with the State of Wis iconic, legendary, most newsworthy sports team? Doubt it, unless he wants to be relegated to covering the Bucks and Golden Eagles.

You don't pull on Superman's cape, you don't spit into the wind, you dont pull the mask of the ol Lone Ranger and you dont mess around with Ted!

Not if you're unable to protect the passer long enough to maximize that talent. Giacomini or Moll is your starter a RT right now. I think we're close to being that dominant offense, but better protection is the final piece, not another WR.

Crabtree would be an Awful pick. Average speed, average size and more importantly, average route running. He's not Greg Jennings or anything close. In all of the highlights I've watched from his entire college career, I've yet to see him snap off a sick route. Sure he piled up a bunch of catches and yards, that's what running 5 WR screens per game will do for your stat line. He isn't Randy Moss. He isn't Calvin Johnson. He isn't even Braylon Edwards. Dwayne Bowe maybe.

If all the OT's are gone, if Jackson and Jenkins are gone, if we can't trade down and if someone is willing to give us a 2 for Nelson or Jones, then maybe.

As far as Crabtree goes, what went on at his Cleavland interview? Apparently, it did not go well.

Also, if he was taken, many are acting like TT has no options for other players later in the draft. IMO the amount of impact guys in this drafts top 10-15 is limited and what you give up to go with the same position in RD 2 is not that huge, maybe just the school they went to is the difference.

Agree...probably dissinfomation campaign goin on...guess the Pats want this guy...good lets extort some decent picks from em...

I was trying to think of some other upsides to Crabtree and how he can help the team.

1. He can return kicks.
2. He's a playmaker.
3. He'll open the field for our running game.
4. He can run after the catch.
5. He would open up Jennings.
6. He played QB in Highschool... might be able to use it.
7. He claims he could probably run a 4.4 with crutches (this would be fun to see.)
I say that whomever drafts him will have an all-star. They just better have a QB that can throw him the ball.

Click to view attachment

If it is a smokescreen it's aim is to have someone trade up to #8 and get Crabtree while TT sits and hopes his real guy falls to #9. The more people we don't want/need that go ahead of us the better.

I think this is a smokescreen to get someone to trade up or to get someone else to take Crabtree. It benefits the Packers if Crabtree is taken an and OT falls.

Apparently Mort is reporting New England might be trying to trade up for Crabtree

I think this notion of New England moving up for Jackson didn't make sense - didn't someone point out or reference a quote that it would be a "surprise"??? Jackson's not a "surprise", he's out of the bag now and has been for a week with KC's interest. I wonder if there are a few players New England would like to get their hands on. What if Curry's there at 8 or 9? Did anyone predict them taking Mayo last year? Not that I remember.

So if Thompson lets out that he likes Crabtree - a player that now may fall to him - that could generate a lot of interest.

Sorry.... I keep coming back to the New England thing, I just love the idea of having those three picks (23-34-41)

Please let New England trade up and take Crabtree at 8....

I'll take Oher thank you.

NE is no longer trying to move up becuase no one will take there crap offer.

I don't know why its really a surprise that Crabtree is the highest rated player on Thompson's board. I think some people misinterpret what this really means. All it means is that Thompson thinks Crabtree is the best player in the draft. That's not crazy. Kiper has Crabtree at #2 and had him at #1 before the foot injury. I would have to say Crabtree is probably #1 on a lot of people's boards. That doesn't mean they will necessarily draft him though. If Crabtree is available #9 it will certainly test Thompson's BPA philosophy. Without a doubt Crabtree would without a doubt be the absolute best player available at that spot but plays a position that is the least of the Packers need. It would be a tough decision, and I wouldn't fault Thompson either way if he chose to or not to draft Crabtree.

After thinking about the NE trading up to get Jackson theory, I figured it didn't entirely make sense. Bellichick is much like Thompson. He doesn't tip his hat to who he likes and the whole theory was based on the fact that they might not be able to re-sign Seymour. Well, the money that Jackson would get inside the Top 10 is likely about what it would take to re-sign Seymour. Richard Seymour is a proven stud DE. They should just re-sign him rather than drafting an unknown commodity and giving him big bucks. With that said, I hope Raji, Jackson, or one of the top 4 OTs is the pick.

From Nick Barnett Twitter Account.

NickBarnettI had a bad dream last night. It was that we drafted a wr with the ninth pick :-/
about 8 hours ago from TwitterFon

The rams gm has a oregon state beaver shirt on!!!! Yes

I would take Crabtree in a heartbeat. I think he would help our offense a ton. With Driver in his last years, Crabtree, Jennings, Jones, Nelson and whoever else would be something great. We have plenty of picks to address any needs on defense, plus with going to a 3-4 defense, the coaching staff will need to evaluate the players we currently have before they can be effective in going after replacements to upgrade.

Guess you were wrong. The Packers chose Rajii with Crabtree available.

Was TT was trying to get SF to switch with him, since they took Crabtree right after GB took Raji?

I was very suspect of this report from the beginning. TT has shown to be very tight lipped in his draft preparation to the point of not even visiting with certain players he eventually selected. So why would he let his draft board slip the week before the draft? Say he really does slip, you got a team like JAC looking to move back with say a team like SF to jump ahead of GB and select Crabtree.

Now, I will say that I did not want Crabtree and was sweating bullets while GB was on the clock.

Well, it looks like McGinn may have been off on this one.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/44237962.html

Just shows that no one had any idea who the Packers were going to take.

If I'm reading correctly, I think McGinn just said TT had Crabtree rated as the #1 player on the board. That doesn't necessarily mean he was wrong just because TT didn't grab him or had plans to draft a different player.

IMO, it shows that McGinn guessed that Crabtree was # 1. I don't see any quotes by TT or anyone else that Crabtree was #1.

McGinn has admitted that he has no idea what TT was thinking. He, like many others relied upon sources he believed in, but like most leaks turned out to be shaky at best

QUOTE (ThatGuy284 @ May 4 2009, 11:51 AM)
If I'm reading correctly, I think McGinn just said TT had Crabtree rated as the #1 player on the board. That doesn't necessarily mean he was wrong just because TT didn't grab him or had plans to draft a different player.


"IMO, it shows that McGinn guessed that Crabtree was # 1. I don't see any quotes by TT or anyone else that Crabtree was #1."



"Because Crabtree carried the highest grade of any player on the Packers' entire draft board, the assumption was that Thompson would stay true to the team's rankings and take him. But Thompson came to the conclusion well before the Packers went on the clock that they were well-stocked at wide receiver and adding Crabtree might create a mess in which no wideout was happy with his number of targeted passes.

In effect, the old one-ball theory worked against Crabtree."


Doubt you'll see any..."we thought Crabtree was the best player but we settled for Raji" quotes from our GM.

I think I'm just splitting hairs on this one grabthar. (it's suddenly gotten very slow after the draft) I'm not in disagreement that McGinn MAY have guessed or gotten incorrect info from sources. However, the above paragraph MAY just as well be right as it may be wrong. I believe McGinn probably has better sources than most. Just because Crabtree was the #1 rated player on TT's board doesn't mean he has to take him. But that's just more fuel for the TT only drafts BPA and not for need debate...